Apparatus for counting and dispensing pills with a vibrating plate
First Claim
1. An apparatus for counting and dispensing pills, comprising:
- a) a housing;
b) a hopper for containing a plurality of pills, said hopper being supported by said housing;
b) a transport spiral for receiving pills from said hopper;
c) a vibrating plate disposed proximate said transport spiral, said vibrating plate comprising means for adjusting the amplitude and frequency of vibration thereof to facilitate pill singulation, pill separation, and conveyance speed control;
d) a drive mechanism connected to said vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto; and
e) a microcontroller operatively connected to said transport spiral and said vibrating plate drive mechanism for controlling operation thereof.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A feed chute having a transport spiral therein is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom. The transport spiral has an outlet and controllable aperture. A vibrating plate is disposed proximate the outlet. A drive mechanism is connected to the vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto. The drive mechanism can abruptly stop the vibration of the vibrating plate. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the transport spiral, and the drive mechanism. The system can self-calibrate the mechanism for counting and dispensing pills.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for counting and dispensing pills, comprising:
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a) a housing; b) a hopper for containing a plurality of pills, said hopper being supported by said housing; b) a transport spiral for receiving pills from said hopper; c) a vibrating plate disposed proximate said transport spiral, said vibrating plate comprising means for adjusting the amplitude and frequency of vibration thereof to facilitate pill singulation, pill separation, and conveyance speed control; d) a drive mechanism connected to said vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto; and e) a microcontroller operatively connected to said transport spiral and said vibrating plate drive mechanism for controlling operation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for counting and dispensing pills, the steps comprising:
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a) providing a housing, a hopper for containing a plurality of pills, said hopper having a hopper door release and a hopper door switch, said hopper being supported by said housing, a transport spiral operatively connected to said hopper for receiving pills therefrom, said transport spiral having an outlet, a vibrating plate disposed proximate said outlet, said vibrating plate having a flap door connected thereto, a drive mechanism connected to said vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto, and a feedback control loop for said vibrating plate to maintain accurate control thereof; and b) activating said hopper door release and said hopper door switch to allow pills to be poured into said hopper. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification